The BJP has suffered another setback in Tamil Nadu after former MLA AG Sampath resigned from the party and joined actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Sampath's exit comes shortly after former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai announced his departure from the party. However, unlike Annamalai, Sampath has chosen to join TVK, led by actor Vijay. Explaining his decision, Sampath cited a lack of internal democracy within the BJP and alleged that the party had failed to understand the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu. He also claimed that party leaders had not only hurt Annamalai emotionally but had also sidelined and demoralised grassroots functionaries.